The mission of the Williams Center for the Arts’ Performance Series at Lafayette College is to inspire, nurture, and sustain a lifelong appreciation of the performing arts for the members of the Lafayette College and greater Lehigh Valley communities, and to serve the educational and cultural programming objectives of the College. The Performance Series presents and commissions artistically adventurous, intellectually rigorous, and delightfully entertaining work from a diverse array of exceptional artists.
The Advisory Council of the Williams Center for the Arts Performance Series will serve three-year terms with the possibility of renewal. Advisory members will provide support and advice to the Director of the Performance Series on:
- Developing and executing strategic short- and long-range financial and outreach goals for the series
- Promoting the performance series programs through networking and grassroots efforts
- Aiding the Director in strengthening existing and cultivating new community, civic, business, and campus partnerships
- Strategizing connections to Lafayette alumni nationwide
- Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and assisting in stewarding philanthropic gifts in coordination with Lafayette College Development and Alumni Relations through donor events and individual relationships
- Enhancing our connection and communication with area schools and community youth-focused organizations and exploring new youth-focused programming opportunities
The council will meet four times a year (January, April, August, November). Meeting agendas will be set by the Director and the Dean of Arts & Humanities with input from the Advisory Council.
Our strategic goals for the next two years are as follows:
- Increase individual donor support by 20% in year one, and 15% in year two
- Explore the possibility of youth-focused programming (family and school-based) for the 25/26 season
- Develop a strategic fundraising plan to support Williams Center programming, staffing, and facility upgrades, such as a named lobby & a named theatre
- Expand Lafayette College faculty and center collaborations and participation
- Increase student participation by 10% in year one and another 10% in year two
- Develop and expand community partnerships
PERFORMANCE SERIES ADVISORY COUNCIL
- Rita Chesterton – Director of the Dyer Center for Innovation, Lafayette College
- Heidi Cruz-Austin – Assistant Professor, Co-Director of Dance, Muhlenberg College
- Karina Fuentes – Assistant Director, Office of Intercultural Development, Lafayette College
- Katherine Groo – Associate Professor, Film & Media Studies, Lafayette College
- Jared Mast ‘04 – Executive Director, Greater Easton Development Partnership
- Chelsea Morrese – Executive Director of Community Engagement, Director of the Landis Center, Lafayette College
- Monica Mariella Salas Landa – Associate Professor of Anthropology, Lafayette College
- Ilan Peleg – Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law, Lafayette College
- Jorge Torres – Associate Professor of Music and Department Head, Lafayette College
Ex Officio
- Ingrid Furniss – Dean of Arts & Humanities, Interim Dean of Faculty, Professor of Art History, and Chair of Architectural Studies, Lafayette College
- Marta Kepka – Director of Arts Marketing, Lafayette College
- Ben Landis – Director of Development and Donor Engagement Initiatives, Lafayette College